Spray pump package employing multiple orifices having an orifice selector system

ABSTRACT

A spray orifice selector system for a spray package. The spray orifice selector, containing at least two spray orifices, is movably secured to a container housing a liquid. The selector provides fluid communication between the container and each of the spray orifices individually as the selector is moved from one detented position to another. A thumb wheel rotates the selector about a push button actuator connected to a spray pump. The spray pump is located between the selector and container. The push button does not rotate relative to the container, and it has a contoured shape which indicates the direction of spray to a user. Therefore, the user grips the pump the same way for each spray. The user may continue to grip the pump with one hand and select a different spray orifice by rotating the thumb wheel with the other hand, thereby avoiding the need to regrip the container when a different spray orifice is selected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of my prior application, Ser. No. 08/096,636,entitled SPRAY PUMP PACKAGE EMPLOYING MULTIPLE ORIFICES FOR DISPENSINGLIQUID IN DIFFERENT SPRAY PATTERNS WITH AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTED OPTIMIZEDPUMP STROKE FOR EACH PATTERN, filed on Jul. 22, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No.5,337,926 and which is a continuation of my original application, Ser.No. 07/832,526, entitled SPRAY PUMP PACKAGE EMPLOYING MULTIPLE ORIFICESFOR DISPENSING LIQUID IN DIFFERENT SPRAY PATTERNS WITH AUTOMATICALLYADJUSTED OPTIMIZED PUMP STROKE FOR EACH PATTERN, filed Feb. 7,1992,which was withdrawn from issue on Jul. 22,1993 and abandoned on Dec.6,1993.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention has relation to liquid spray dispensing packages.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention hasfurther relation to liquid spray dispensing packages which employ amanually actuated pump to pressurize the liquid and therefore do notrequire an aerosol propellant.

The present invention has further relation to such liquid spraydispensing packages wherein at least two distinct spray orifices capableof producing dissimilar spray patterns or dissimilar spraycharacteristics are provided, but wherein the maximum amount of productwhich can be delivered on each complete pump stroke is automaticallyadjusted to a predetermined optimum for whichever orifice is selected bythe user.

The present invention has further relation to such liquid spraydispensing packages wherein the foregoing feat is accomplished byproviding means for automatically adjusting the maximum length of pumpstroke whenever the user changes from one orifice to the other.

BACKGROUND ART

Liquid spray dispensers of various types are well known in the art. Manyof these dispensers are of the aerosol variety wherein a prechargedgaseous propellant is used to pressurize the contents of the package andproduce a spray when an actuating means is triggered by the end user.Typical applications for such dispensers include spray paints,deodorants, hair sprays, adhesives, disinfectants and the like.

Because the conditions of use may vary widely for a given product, e.g.,as in the application of a spray glue to either a large surface foroverall bonding or to only a small portion of a surface for localizedbonding, it has been found desirable on some such applications toprovide aerosol packages having more than a single discharge orificecapable of altering the spray pattern for the material being dispensed.This allows the user to select whatever spray pattern best suits his orher needs in any given circumstance by simply rotating the dischargenozzle on the package from one orifice to another. One example of apackage of this general type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 3,083,872 issuedto Meshberg on Apr. 2, 1963.

Unfortunately, the use of an aerosol propellant to dispense a liquidspray can give rise to material compatibility problems between theliquid being dispensed and the propellant. In addition, pressurizationof the dispensing package can increase the cost of manufacture andpossibly contribute to environmental problems due to escape of thepropellant to the atmosphere either during dispensing of the liquidproduct or upon disposal of the package.

Accordingly, there has been significant effort devoted towarddevelopment of liquid spray dispensing packages which do not require theuse of an aerosol propellant and which can be pressurized by the userduring the dispensing cycle. The most typical approach has been toemploy a positive displacement liquid pump within the dispensingpackage. The pump is capable of being manually actuated by manipulationwith by the user's index finger.

Pump spray dispensing packages employing multiple spray orifices arealso known. An exemplary package of this type is disclosed in 1987Japanese Utility Model No. Showa 62-38766 in the names of Kishi and Gotoand filed by Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. While the positive displacementpump approach has done much to solve the material compatibility andenvironmental concerns associated with aerosol packages, it has beenfound that the use of more than a single dispensing orifice in amanually pressurized spray dispensing pump can give rise to underwettingor overwetting problems when the user moves the nozzle from one orificeto another, particularly if the user fully depresses the pump actuatingmeans for each stroke of the pump. It is believed that theseunderwetting/overwetting problems are more pronounced with packagesemploying manually actuated pumps because, unlike aerosol packages,users tend to hold a pump package in a substantially fixed position foreach stroke of the pump and then move the package from one position tothe next between pump strokes.

The aforementioned difficulties are most apparent in applications suchas hair spray, where the user may want a broad spray pattern for overalltreatment of their hair, but only a very narrow spray pattern to producestyling highlights. If the orifice designed to produce a very narrowspray pattern for styling highlights delivers the same total amount ofproduct that is used for overall treatment of the user's hair on eachpump stroke, there will be a strong tendency to overwet the portion ofthe user's hair being spot treated. Conversely, if the package isdesigned to optimize the amount of product to be delivered during spottreatment, the amount of product delivered on each full pump stroke willmost likely be too low when the user selects the broad spray pattern foroverall treatment of their hair. This will, in most instances, result inunderwetting.

The prior art solution to overwetting/underwetting problems of theaforementioned type in multiple orifice packages employing manuallyactuated pumps has been to employ a single maximum pump stroke which isa compromise between the extremes required by the different sprayorifices, resulting in a liquid application amount per unit of areabeing treated which is not completely satisfactory for any of the sprayorifices.

Another disadvantage of prior art liquid dispensing packages havingmultiple spray nozzles is that when the selection is made from onenozzle to the next, the dispenser may have to be regripped in order topoint the newly selected nozzle in the desired direction. That is, thenozzles are fixed relative to the liquid container so that all nozzlespoint in different directions. Therefore, rotation of the container inthe user's hand is needed to re-aim the newly selected nozzle toward thesame target to which the previous nozzle was aimed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to preserve all ofthe advantages of prior art multiple orifice pump spray liquiddispensing packages, while eliminating the overwetting/underwettingproblems which typically occur when the user moves the position of thespray nozzle from one orifice to another.

It is another object of the present invention to eliminate problems ofthe aforementioned type without the need to compromise on the amount ofliquid being applied per unit of area being treated regardless of whichspray orifice is selected by the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a multipleorifice pump spray liquid dispensing package wherein the maximumavailable pump stroke is automatically adjusted to provide the optimumamount of liquid product discharge for the particular orifice which hasbeen selected by the user.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sprayorifice selector system which moves the spray orifices relative to thecontainer so that whichever spray orifice is selected, it will he aimedtoward the same target as the previously selected spray orifice, withouthaving to regrip or rotate the container in the user's hand.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides the end user with a manually operatedspray pump package capable of delivering two or more differentpredetermined spray patterns or spray characteristics, but at a liquidapplication amount per unit of area being treated which is optimum forthe particular spray orifice selected rather than a compromise betweentwo extremes. The predetermined spray patterns or characteristics fromwhich the end user may select may differ in many different ways,including but not limited to: the cone angle of the spray; the width ofthe spray pattern; the average size of the particles in the spray; theamount of particle size deviation from the average; etc. Thepredetermined spray patterns or characteristics available to the user ofpumps of the present invention can be distinguished by a difference inany one of the foregoing variables or by differences in combinations oftwo or more of the foregoing variables. For example, a firstpredetermined spray pattern might be a narrow pattern with relativelylarge particles, while a second predetermined spray pattern from adifferent orifice on the same spray pump liquid dispensing package mightbe a wide pattern with smaller particles.

However, packages of the present invention, unlike packages of the priorart, are provided with means for automatically adjusting the maximumavailable pump stroke so as to optimize the maximum amount of productwhich can be delivered on each complete pump stroke for whicheverorifice is selected by the end user. Thus, in the preceding example themaximum available pump stroke may, if desired, be adjusted to deliver alarge dose for the wide spray pattern and a smaller dose for the narrowspray pattern.

Accordingly, manually pressurized packages of the present inventionpermit delivery of a single product, such as a hair spray, under widelydiffering conditions to meet different requirements experienced by theend user of the product. For example, the hair spray may be applied in awide pattern at a relatively low amount per unit of area to all of theuser's hair using a first spray pattern or to a much narrower localizedportion of the user's hair for styling purposes using a second muchnarrower spray pattern wherein the amount of material applied has beenautomatically reduced to avoid overwetting the relatively small surfacebeing treated. This is accomplished by providing the package with meansfor automatically changing the maximum stroke length available to thepump whenever the position of the spray nozzle is changed from oneorifice to another by the end user.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, thepackage employs a positive displacement pump which is self primingregardless of stroke length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims that particularly pointout and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as forming thepresent invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description with reference to thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified enlarged, exploded perspective view of apreferred manually pressurized liquid dispensing package of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1A is a simplified perspective view of the turret shown in FIG. 1,said view viewing partially segmented to more clearly illustrate thearrangement of the vertical stops located on the innermost surface ofthe turret;

FIG. 1B is a fully developed view of one half of the innermost surfaceof the turret shown in FIG. 1A, said view showing the relative positionsof the several vertical and rotational stops;

FIG. 2 is a simplified enlarged cross-sectional view of a fullyassembled package of the type generally shown in FIG. 1 in its at restposition, said view being taken through one of the spray orifice insertsof the package;

FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the package shown in FIG.2, said view being taken along Section Line A--A in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are enlarged cross-sectional views of theliquid pump generally shown in FIG. 2, but illustrating sequentialpositions of the pump components during a sequence of operation of thepump;

FIG. 10 is a simplified perspective illustration of an alternative pushbutton including an orifice selector means suitable for use in packagesof the present invention, said view showing the position of the orificeselector means when the pump stroke is to be limited via interferencebetween an arm on the orifice selector means and a fixed stop secured toa stationary portion of the package;

FIG. 11 is a simplified perspective view of the push button shown inFIG. 10, but showing the position of the orifice selector means when noexternal limitations are to be imposed upon the maximum stroke of theliquid pump;

FIG. 12 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the push button andorifice selector means generally shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 with bothspray orifice inserts and the interconnecting liquid passageways in theselector means in a sealed condition;

FIG. 13 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the push button andorifice selector means shown in FIG. 10, said view being taken alongSection Line B--B in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the push button andorifice selector means shown in FIG. 11, said view being taken alongSection Line C--C in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 15 is a simplified, partially segmented, exploded perspective viewof an alternative push button and orifice selector means for use inpackages of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A particularly preferred liquid dispensing pump embodiment 10 disclosedin the partially exploded and partially segmented view of FIG. 1provides the user with a choice of two spray patterns: either a narrowor a wide spray pattern. In the illustrated embodiment, each spraypattern is automatically coupled with the proper predetermined dose sothe pump delivers a substantially uniform amount of product per unit ofarea being treated for either spray setting. In this way product may beapplied with either a large spray cone diameter or a small spray conediameter without underwetting or overwetting the surface being treated.For example, the narrow spray of the preferred liquid dispensing pumpembodiment 10 which is delivered through spray orifice insert 20 maydeliver 40 mg of liquid product with a spray cone diameter of 2 inches(measured at a 6 inch distance from the orifice insert). The wide spraywhich is delivered through spray orifice insert 30 may deliver 160 mg ofliquid product with a 4 inch diameter spray cone (measured at a 6 inchdistance from the orifice insert). In this case either spray patternwill apply a substantially uniform amount of approximately 13 mg ofliquid product per square inch of surface being treated, as measured ata 6 inch distance from the orifice insert.

The preferred liquid dispensing pump embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 1includes: an actuator assembly 40; a pump assembly 50; and a wide mouthcontainer, such as a plastic bottle 60.

The actuator assembly 40 of the preferred embodiment 10 is comprised offour pieces: a push button 41, a turret 42 with an integral thumb wheel43, and two spray orifice inserts 20 and 30. Insert 20 is designed toproduce a narrow spray pattern, while insert 30 is designed to produce awide spray pattern.

The turret 42 has two seats 44 and 45 designed to frictionally engagethe two spray orifice inserts 20 and 30, respectively. The spray orificeseats 44 and 45 and the spray orifice inserts 20 and 30, respectively,are of the conventional pressure-swirl design which is commonly used forspray pumps. The geometry and the dimensions of the seats and thepassages in the spray orifice inserts 20 and 30 are chosen by methodswell known in the art to provide the desired spray cone diameters,droplet size and patterns for the particular product application. Thespray orifice inserts 20 and 30 are preferably pressed into the seats 44and 45, respectively. The spray orifice inserts 20 and 30 are preferablyspaced approximately 90 degrees apart from one another.

The push button 41 preferably has a contoured finger pad 49 comprising adepressed area on the top surface 46 .of the button. The depressed areais preferably shaped to conform to the user's index finger. The fingerpad 49, which also preferably exhibits a slight upward slope in thedirection of the particular spray orifice insert which has been selectedfor use, serves to align the user's finger in the direction of the sprayso the user is able to accurately anticipate the direction of spray.

There is an aperture or opening 47 for the spray to pass through in thewall 51 of the button 41. The opening 47 is aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the depressed area comprising the finger pad 49.The spray opening 47 preferably has a beveled edge 48 so as to form asharp corner with an acute angle where the edge of the opening 47 meetsthe inside surface of the wall 51.

The button 41 and the turret 42 are preferably held together in theiraxial direction by a snap bead 52, which is located on the outsidesurface of the turret wall 53 in the area below the spray orificeinserts 20 and 30, and a snap groove 54 located on the inside surface ofthe button wall 51.

The turret 42 can be rotated with respect to the button 41 by turningthe thumb wheel 43. Because the button 41 is non-rotatably securedrelative to both the pump 50 and closure 90, rotation of the thumb wheel43 allows the user to select the desired spray orifice and hence thedesired spray pattern. The selection of spray orifices will be describedin greater detail in the latter portions of the present specification.

The push button 41 has six supports 55 on its inside surface, saidsupports being spaced equally around the button's perimeter at thejunction of the finger pad 49 and the wall 51. The supports 55, whichare not all of uniform overall height due to the depressed areacomprising the finger pad 49, bear on the top of the turret 42 at itsperiphery. The button 41 and turret 42 are assembled by aligning theiraxes and rotating the button 41 until the spray opening 47 lies in thesame quadrant as the spray orifice inserts 20 and 30 in the turret 42.When the button 41 and turret 42 are thus properly positioned the twoare snapped together.

A clicker 56 on the push button 41 creates an audible signal as thethumb wheel 43 is turned to or from each of the spray settings. As shownin FIG. 1, the clicker 56 is a thin projection extending downwardly fromthe base of the button 41. The clicker 56 is deflected and releasedduring movement of the thumb wheel 43 to create an audible click.

The clicker 56 shown in FIG. 1 is located 180 degrees from the sprayopening 47 in the push button 41. As can be seen in FIG. 1, a portion ofthe wall 51 of the button is cut away on each side of the clicker 56 toincrease its effective length without increasing the clearance neededbelow the button 41. The tip of the clicker projects slightly below thebase of the button 41 so it strikes trigger 70 (shown in FIG. 1 ) ortrigger 71 (not shown in FIG. 1 ), depending upon which of the sprayorifices 20 or 30 is selected by the user when the thumb wheel 43 isturned. One of the triggers 70 or 71 makes contact with the clicker 56just before the particular spray orifice which has been selected by theuser becomes aligned with the spray opening or aperture 47 in pushbutton 41. Trigger 70 and trigger 71 comprise vanes oriented radially inthe groove between the thumb wheel 43 and the wall 53 of the turret 42at points opposite spray orifice inserts 30 and 20, respectively.

The clicker 56 clears the bottom of the groove formed between the turretwall 53 and the thumb wheel 43 when the thumb wheel 43 is rotatedrelative to the push button 41, but the clicker 56 and triggers 70,71interfere with each other as the thumb wheel 43 is rotated from oneorifice insert to the other. This interference causes the clicker 56 todeflect as the triggers 70, 71 pass underneath. Once a trigger 70 or 71passes beneath the clicker 56, the clicker 56 snaps back to its originalposition with an audible click.

A detent, which serves to indicate a shipping or travelling position ofthe package 10 in which both orifice inserts are sealed and the pump 50cannot be manually actuated, is located halfway between the two spraysettings. This "locked" condition of the pump 50 will be described ingreater detail in the latter portions of the present specification. Thedetent is preferably comprised of a flat 73 on the upper inside surfaceof the thumb wheel 43, as shown in FIG. 1. A vertical groove 74 isformed in the flat 73 at its midpoint. A vertical rib 80 (partiallyshown in FIG. 1) is formed on the base of the push button's wall 51directly below the spray opening 47. The rib 80 is designed to mate withthe groove 74 formed in the thumb wheel 43 when the turret is mid-waythrough its travel from one orifice to the other.

When the thumb wheel 43 rotates with respect to the button 41, the rib80 on the button's wall 51 normally clears the inside surface of thethumb wheel 43. However, approximately halfway between the two sprayorifices 20 and 30 the rib 80 contacts the flat 73 and resilientlydeforms and interferes with the flat 73 until the rib 80 pops into themating groove 74 in the flat 73. If the thumb wheel 43 is rotated ineither direction, the rib 80 immediately interferes with the flat 73.The detent thus formed requires the user to exert somewhat more than thenormal amount of force that is required for turret rotation in order toselect one of the spray orifice inserts for dispensing. The detentposition is particularly suitable for transporting and or storing theliquid dispensing package 10 either prior to placing the package inservice or when the end user of the package is travelling, since theliquid dispensing pump 50 is prevented from actuating unless one of thespray orifice inserts is aligned with the opening 47 in push button 41.

The manually operated positive displacement liquid pump assembly 50employed in the liquid dispensing package 10 shown in FIG. 1 ispreferably of the self-priming type regardless of how much it isdepressed from its at rest position by the user. While the presentinvention may be practiced with pumps of many different designs, oneparticularly suitable pump of the aforementioned type is generallydisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,453 issued to Lina et at. on Jan. 22,1991 and hereby incorporated herein by reference. Such a pump 50 isshown schematically in the simplified cross-section of FIG. 2, and iscomprised of: the pump body 148; spring 240; sealing conduit 190; poppet150; piston 182 with integral pump stem 186; and dip tube 130. The pump50 is secured to closure 90.

The finger-operated pump 50 is provided with a pump chamber 180 and afixed supply conduit 120 communicating with the pump chamber. A movablesealing conduit 190 is adapted to slidably and sealingly engage thesupply conduit 120 in a telescoping relationship. A primary piston 182is operably disposed in the chamber 180 and defines a discharge passage198 out of the pump chamber. A poppet 150 having a primary valve means162 for occluding the discharge passage is biased against the primarypiston 182 by a spring 240. The poppet 150 has a secondary valve meanscomprising concave valve member surface 280 for occluding flow throughthe sealing conduit 190. The sealing conduit 190 engages the poppetthrough a lost motion arrangement which is defined in part by the spring240. The lost motion arrangement permits a limited degree of relativemovement between the poppet 150 and the sealing conduit 190 when theprimary piston 182 is moved up and down by actuation of the push button41.

DISCHARGING LIQUID FROM THE PUMP

Dispensing of liquid (not shown in FIGS. 1-9) from a primed pump 50 isinitiated by applying a downward force on the actuator head or pushbutton 41 so as to begin to move the primary piston 182 downwardly inthe pump chamber 180. The poppet 150 is also necessarily forceddownwardly by the primary piston 182 with which it is engaged. Thesealing conduit 190 continues to be supported by the spring 240 untilthe inwardly projecting annular seal 260 at the bottom end of thesealing conduit 190 engages the exterior of the top end 121 of thesupply conduit 120, as illustrated in FIG. 4. At this point, there issufficient frictional engagement between the sealing conduit 190 and thesupply conduit 120 to retard further downward movement of the sealingconduit 190 under its own weight. Until this engagement occurs, the pumpchamber 180 cannot be pressurized since the pump chamber is in fluidcommunication with the interior of the container 60 through the supplyconduit 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sealing conduit 190 thus remainsstationary and engaged with the fixed supply conduit 120 while theprimary piston 182 and poppet 150 continue moving downwardly togetherrelative to the sealing conduit 190. The range of downward movement ofthe poppet 150 that is permitted by the lost motion arrangement betweenthe poppet 150 and sealing conduit 190 is such that concave valve membersurface 280 of the poppet 150 eventually seals against the peripheralcontact surface 218 at the top of the sealing conduit 190.

Until this sealing engagement occurs at the top of the sealing conduit190, any tendency of the downwardly moving primary piston 182 topressurize the pump chamber 180 can result in a very small amount of theliquid and/or residual air (or vapor) being forced from the pump chamber180 down the fixed supply conduit 120 into the container 60. After thesealing engagement occurs between the poppet 150 and the top of thesealing conduit 190, fluid communication between the container 60 andthe pump chamber 180 is interrupted, and the pump chamber 180 becomesincreasingly pressurized with increasing downward movement of theprimary piston 182.

Once the poppet 150 engages the top surface 218 of the sealing conduit190, any continued downward movement of the poppet 150 will necessarilyeffect downward movement of the sealing conduit 190 along the fixedsupply conduit 120 with the sealing engagement being maintained betweenthe poppet secondary valve means surface 280 and the sealing conduit'speripheral contact surface 218.

FIG. 5 illustrates the relationship of the pump components at a point ofmaximum pressure just before the liquid (not shown) is first dischargedupwardly out of the pump chamber 180. The elevation of the primarypiston 182 in the chamber 180 at the point of maximum chamber pressuredepends upon the strength of the spring 240 as well as upon the initialchamber liquid load conditions (i.e., the amount of liquid and/orresidual air (or vapor) initially in the pump chamber 180).

At the point of maximum pressurization, the degree of compression of theliquid and entrapped residual air and/or vapor within the pump chamber180 is such that the force generated by the pressure acting downwardlyon the poppet piston surface 172 exceeds the upward force of the spring240, with the result that the poppet 150 moves downwardly at a greatervelocity than the primary piston 182. This, in turn, causes the primaryvalve means sealing surface 162 to open the discharge passage 198, andto remain open as long as a differential pressure sufficient to maintainthe condition shown in FIG. 6 persists.

During the time that the discharge passage 198 is open, the liquidproduct (not shown) is discharged through the passage 198 as illustratedby the flow arrows 380 in FIG. 6. The liquid is thus forced underpressure to the nozzle assembly where it is discharged from one of thespray orifice inserts 20 or 30 as a finely atomized spray or stream.

If the downward movement of the primary piston 182 is substantiallyslowed or completely stopped at, for example, elevation Y as illustratedin FIG. 6, then the sealing conduit 190 will stop along the inletconduit 120 at, for example, elevation X as illustrated in FIG. 6. Thespring 240 will subsequently force the poppet 150 back upwardly againstthe primary piston 182 as illustrated in FIG. 7 to occlude the dischargepassage 198 after a sufficient amount of the pressurized liquid has beendischarged to restore equilibrium. That is, the discharge of the liquidfrom the pump 50 is terminated whenever the pressure drops below thepredetermined operating pressure, which is established by the spring 240operating through the other pump components. Since the liquid is thusalways discharged at a predetermined pressure, proper atomization can beensured by employing a suitable spray orifice insert. Accordingly, thereis very little tendency for the pump to dribble from the spray orifice.

When the poppet 150 moves upwardly toward the primary piston 182 toocclude further discharge from the pump (FIG. 7), the sealing conduit190 initially remains stationary owing to its frictional engagement withthe supply conduit 120. Thus, the poppet 150 will separate from the topof the sealing conduit 190.

Eventually, as the poppet 150 moves upwardly far enough to seal againstthe discharge passage 198, the top of the spring 240 around the poppetpin 230 will engage the sealing conduit 190 (FIG. 7). If the primarypiston 182 has been maintained at the initially depressed elevation, sayat elevation Y in FIGS. 6 and 7, then the poppet 150 will reclose thedischarge passage 198 at the same instant the top of the spring 240again just engages the sealing conduit 190 which has remained at theelevation X. Thus, the upwardly moving poppet 150 separates from thesealing conduit 190 within the extent permitted by the spring in thelost motion arrangement. At this point, any residual pressure in thepump chamber 180 could force a small amount of the liquid (and orentrapped air and vapor) into the region under the poppet 150 from whichregion the flow passes down through the sealing conduit 190, through thefixed supply conduit 120, and into the container 60 via dip tube 130.

If, after being substantially slowed or stopped, the primary piston 182is permitted to rise (for example, above elevation Y in FIG. 7), thenthe spring 240 will simultaneously urge the sealing conduit 190 andpoppet 150 upwardly together in the spaced-apart relationship sown inFIG. 7 with the poppet 150 continuing to close off the discharge passage198.

However, if the primary piston 182 is subsequently forced furtherdownwardly in the pump chamber 180, the poppet 150 again seals againstthe top of the sealing conduit 190 so that additional downward movementof the primary piston 182 again begins to pressurize the pump chamber180. If and when the maximum design pressure is again attained in thepump chamber 180, the poppet 150 is again forced away from the primarypiston 182 to permit further discharge of liquid from the pump 180.

The sealing conduit 190, owing to its frictional engagement with thefixed supply conduit 120 during operation of the pump, will remain inplace on the supply conduit 120 during pre-discharge pressurization ofthe pump chamber 180 even if the pump 50 is inverted. Thus, if thecontainer 60 is inverted prior to spray discharge, pressure cannot beinadvertently vented to the container 60 so long as the piston 182 iscontinuously depressed to seal the poppet 150 against the sealingconduit 190 while the pump chamber is being pressurized--even at verylow pressures.

Assuming none of the pump stroke limiting devices described in thepresent specification are in a position to limit the downward travel ofprimary piston 182, the downward stroke of the primary piston 182 ismechanically terminated at the maximum stroke length illustrated in FIG.8. At the bottom of the stroke, the primary piston 182, with the poppet150 seated therein and the sealing conduit 190 sealingly engaged withthe underside of the poppet 150, has moved sufficiently downwardly inthe pump chamber 180 so that the sealing conduit top cross wall 222abuts the open top end 121 of the fixed supply conduit 120.

Release of the finger pressure from the actuator button 41, either atthe end of a full downward stroke when no stroke limiter of the presentinvention is present or at the end of a downward stroke which has beenlimited to an intermediate position by the presence of a stroke limitingdevice of the present invention, permits the spring 240 to return thepiston 182 in pump 50 to its fully raised, inactive at rest position, asgenerally shown in FIG. 2.

It will, of course, be appreciated that a user may on occasion generatea sufficient amount of spray to meet his or her needs before the primarypiston 182 either reaches the bottom of the maximum permissible strokeillustrated in FIG. 8 or before the downward progress of the piston ishalted by a stroke limiting device of the present invention. In suchsituations the finger force on the top of the actuator button 41 wouldtypically be released before the maximum available stroke has beenattained. While the pump will still function in the manner describedherein, the actual amount of liquid dispensed on such incomplete strokeswill be less than the available capacity of the pump. It will thus beunderstood that only depression of the push button 41 to the maximumextent possible for each spray pattern selected will provide the desiredpredetermined amount of liquid discharge described herein for theparticular spray orifice which has been selected by the user.

REFILLING OF THE PUMP

FIG. 9 illustrates the pump 50 just after the finger pressure on theactuator push button 41 has been released and just after the primarypiston 182 has begun moving upwardly in the pump chamber 180 in responseto the biasing force of the spring 240 pushing the poppet 150 againstthe primary piston 182. As the poppet 150 moves upwardly, the sealingconduit 190 initially remains frictionally engaged with the fixed supplyconduit 120 so that the poppet 150 separates from the top of the sealingconduit 190 to the extent permitted by the lost motion arrangement(i.e., until the sealing conduit 190 is engaged by the spring 240).Fluid communication is thus established between the container 60 and thepump chamber 180 via dip tube 130.

As the upper end of the spring 240, sealing conduit 190, poppet 150, andpiston 182 move upwardly together, the volume under the piston 182continues to increase. This lowers the pressure in the chamber 180. As aresult, the container liquid (not shown) which is at substantiallyatmospheric pressure, flows up the dip tube 130 over the top of thesealing conduit 190, and into the pump chamber 180 to refill the pumpchamber, as indicated by the flow arrows 397 in FIG. 9. Liquid continuesto flow from the container 60 into the pump chamber 180 until theprimary piston 182 reaches its fully elevated position.

Near the end of the return stroke of the primary piston 182 to the fullyelevated at rest position shown in FIG. 2, the bottom end of the sealingconduit 190 separates from the fixed supply conduit 120 and additionalliquid fills the pump chamber 180 through the separation space.

ASSEMBLY OF THE PACKAGE

The closure 90 is placed over the pump body 148 of the pump 50 so thatthe pump stem 186 extends through the passageway 320 in the center ofthe lowermost collar 340 on the closure 90. The flange 450 on the pumpbody 148 is preferably snapped into the groove 440 located within thepassageway 320 in the lowermost collar 340 on the lowermost side of theclosure 90. The dip tube 130 is preferably pressed into the body 148 ofthe pump 50.

Spray orifice inserts 20 and 30 are inserted in spray orifice seats 44and 45, respectively, in turret 42 and are preferably retained inposition by means of a friction fit. The turret 42 and push button 41are then preassembled with one another by engaging snap bead 52 onturret 42 in snap groove 54 in push button 41 so that spray orificeinserts 20 and 30 are free to align with spray opening 47 in push button41.

The actuator assembly 40 comprising push button 41 and turret 42, theclosure 90 and the pump 50 are preferably joined to one another byplacing the closure 90 over the pump 50. The preassembled push button 41and turret 42 are thereafter placed over the pump stem 186 so that thepump stem 186 frictionally engages the bottom of the stem 360 on pushbutton 41. This assembly operation is preferably accomplished byrotating the push button 41 until the male splines 500 on the stem 360of push button 41 are free to slide down the complementary internalgrooves 510 in the uppermost hub 520 on the closure 90 when the turret42 is in a position that will permit alignment of spray orifices 20 and30 in turret 42 with spray opening 47 in push button 41.

Assembling the package 10 in this manner prevents rotation of the pushbutton 41 relative to the closure 9 and the pump 50, yet permitsrotation of the multiple orifice containing turret 42 to the "FINISH"and "STYLE" positions shown in FIG. 3 via thumb wheel 43.

SELECTING THE DESIRED SPRAY ORIFICE

For the purpose of the following description, it will be assumed thatthe thumb wheel 43 is initially turned to select the narrow spraypattern provided via spray orifice insert 20, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and3. This position is indicated by an arrow (not shown) on the button wall51, said arrow being positioned directly below the spray opening 47. Inthis position the arrow (not shown) points to the word "STYLE" on thethumb wheel, as generally shown in the simplified cross-section of FIG.3.

When the "STYLE" spray pattern is selected, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2and the simplified cross-section of FIG. 3, the "STYLE" spray orificeinsert 20 is concentrically aligned within the spray opening 47 in pushbutton 41. In this position the small hole 670 comprising the sprayorifice in the narrow spray orifice insert 20 is in fluid communicationwith the liquid pump 50 via suitable passageways 660,650 inside thespray orifice insert 20 (shown only schematically in the cross-sectionof FIG. 2), passageway 630 in turret 42, the supply channel 640 in thestem 360 of push button 41 and discharge passageway 198 in pump stem186. All of the foregoing passageways are sealingly secured to oneanother when the package 10 is in the condition shown in cross-sectionof FIG. 2. Therefore they collectively act as a conduit which places theliquid pump 50 in fluid communication with the spray orifice insertwhich has been selected by the user.

In the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the passageways leading tothe wide spray orifice 30 are sealed by the outermost wall of the buttonstem 360. This can be seen in the cross-section of FIG. 3. In addition,the hole 770 comprising the spray orifice in the wide spray orificeinsert 30 is itself sealed against the inside surface of the button'swall 51 by virtue of the raised face of the spray orifice insert 30.These seals prevent liquid product from drying and clogging the hole 770in the wide spray orifice 30 when it is not in use.

The predetermined amount of liquid delivered at each spray patternsetting is, assuming full activation of push button 41 by the user,established by the maximum available length of the pump stroke. Verticalstops 801 and 802 formed on the inside surface of the turret 42 limitthe stroke length and control the dosage for each spray pattern. Inaddition, the vertical stops 801 and 802 prevent actuation of the pumpin the locked position.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B, vertical stop 801 is at alower elevation than vertical stop 802, and therefore will provide ashorter maximum pump stroke. There are two identical diametricallyopposed sets of vertical stops 801 and 802, equally spaced about theinside periphery of the lowermost thumb wheel portion of the turret 42.A pair of opposed lowermost vertical stops 840 which corresponds to the"locked" position of the pump are also provided. As can best be seen inFIG. 1, two identical equally spaced external followers 803 are providedon the outermost surface of uppermost collar 520 on the closure 90. Whenproper rotational alignment is achieved, either the opposed pair ofvertical stops 801 or the opposed pair of vertical stops 802 engage thepair of opposed followers 803. When the opposed followers 803 do notrotationally align with either stops 801 or 802, vertical stops 840prevent actuation of the push button 41. Thus the push button 41 is in a"locked" condition, i.e., it can only be actuated when one of the sprayorifice inserts 20 or 30 is aligned with the spray orifice opening 47 inthe push button.

When the thumb wheel 43 is rotated counter-clockwise to the "FINISH"position as shown by the arrow 1010 in FIG. 3 to align the wide patternspray orifice insert 30 with opening 47 in push button 41, bothfollowers 803 strike a rotational stop 805 comprising a verticallyoriented edge of each of the opposed vertical stops 802 on turret 42. Inthis position the push button 41 and turret 42 are free to move down thefull depth of the stops 802 for a full pump stroke. In the exemplaryembodiment described herein, this setting will deliver a full dose of160 mg for the wide spray pattern.

When the thumb wheel 43 is rotated clockwise, as shown by arrow 1110 inFIG. 3, the followers 803 strike a rotational stop 806 comprising avertically oriented edge of each of the opposed vertical stops 801 onturret 42 when the narrow spray orifice insert 20 aligns with theopening 47 in push button 41. In this position the actuator assemblycomprising push button 41 and turret 42 are free to vertically travelonly the depth of the shorter vertical stops 801. To provide the sameamount of liquid product per unit of surface area being treated thismeans that the maximum pump stroke of the exemplary embodiment describedherein should, in the latter position, be approximately 25 per cent ofthe maximum pump stroke possible when spray orifice insert 30 isconcentrically aligned with opening 47 in push button 41. Accordingly,pump 50 should deliver a dose of only about 40 mg of liquid for the"STYLE" setting of thumb wheel 43.

SELECTING THE "LOCKED" POSITION OF THE PUMP

When the thumb wheel 43 is turned to a position anywhere between the twoextremes which align either spray orifice insert 20 or spray orificeinsert 30 with opening 47 in push button 41, the opposed followers 803are not aligned with either pair of vertical stops 801 or 802. In thissituation the lowermost vertical stops 840 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1Bprevent the push button 41 from moving down at all. Accordingly,actuation of the pump 50 is likewise prevented. This condition isreferred to herein as the "locked" condition.

THE AUDIBLE SIGNAL

As will be understood from the preceding portions of the presentspecification, to select the wide spray orifice insert 30 beginning fromthe position shown in FIG. 3 the thumb wheel 43 is rotatedcounter-clockwise in the direction of arrow 1010 to align both orificeinsert 30 and the "FINISH" designation on the thumb wheel 43 with sprayorifice opening 47 in push button 41. As the thumb wheel 43 starts tomove, the trigger 71 (not shown) opposite the small hole 670 comprisingthe spray orifice in orifice insert 20 strikes the clicker 56 andproduces an audible click. As the thumb wheel 43 rotates, the button 41remains fixed and the turret 42 rotates inside the button. The pushbutton 41 is held in a fixed position by the six male splines 500 on theoutside of the button stem 360 which engage six mating female splines510 on the interior surface of the uppermost collar 520 which iscentrally located on the closure 90, which in turn is secured to thecontainer 60 by any suitable fastening means, such as complementaryscrew threads. As the thumb wheel 43 continues rotating, the small holecomprising spray orifice 670 in the "STYLE" spray orifice insert 20passes the spray opening 47 in the button 41. The sharp edge formed bybeveled surface 48 about the periphery of the spray opening 47 doctorsany liquid product residue from the hole 670 and the face of the narrowspray orifice insert 20 to help prevent a build up of product residuewhich can clog the spray orifice in the spray orifice insert 20.

Counter-clockwise rotation of the thumb wheel 43 continues through thedetent 74 at the midway position until the second trigger 70 locatedopposite spray orifice insert 30 strikes the clicker 56, therebyproducing another audible click. Immediately afterward, the opposedfollowers 803 on the uppermost collar 520 of the closure 90 strike thecorresponding rotational stops 805 on each of the opposed vertical stops802, and rotation of the thumb wheel 43 stops. In this position the widespray orifice insert 30 is concentrically aligned within the sprayopening 47 in the push button 41 and the arrow (not shown) on the buttonwall 51 points to the word "FINISH" on the thumb wheel 43. In thisposition the discharge passageway 198 in pump stem 186 is in fluidcommunication with the small hole 770 comprising the spray orifice inthe wide spray orifice insert 30.

As should be apparent from the cross-sections of FIGS. 2 and 3, all ofthe non-used passageways leading to the "STYLE" spray orifice insert 20are sealed by the outermost surface of the wall of the push button'sstem 360. In addition, the small hole 670 comprising the spray orificein the narrow spray orifice insert 20 is sealed against the insidesurface of the push button's outer wall 51 by virtue of the raised faceon the spray orifice insert 20. These seals prevent residual liquidproduct from drying and clogging either the small hole 670 comprisingthe spray orifice in the narrow spray orifice insert 20 or the non-usedpassageways leading thereto when spray orifice insert 20 is not in use.

Once orifice insert 30 is aligned with spray opening 47 in push button41, if the thumb wheel 43 is rotated clockwise, in the direction ofarrow 1110 in FIG. 3, toward the "locked" position of the pump anywherebetween the two dispensing positions, the trigger 70 opposite the widespray orifice 30 strikes the clicker 56 on button 41 and produces anaudible click. The sharp edge produced by beveled surface 48 on thespray opening 47 in push button 41 doctors any liquid product residuefrom the hole 770 comprising the spray orifice in the face of the widespray orifice insert 30. If clockwise rotation of the thumb wheel 43continues, the detent comprising groove 74 on turret 42 and the rib 80on push button 41 will engage one another. In this position theapertures 670 and 770 comprising the spray orifices in spray orificeinserts 20 and 30, respectively, are both sealed against the insidesurface of the button's outer wall 51 to provide a leak free package. Inaddition, the internal passageways leading to both spray orifice inserts20 and 30 are sealed by the outermost surface of the wall of thebutton's stem 360. The seals thus established help to prevent residualliquid product from drying and clogging either the spray orifice insertsor the internal passageways leading thereto when the pump is not in use.In addition, because neither pair of opposed vertical stops 801,802inside the thumb wheel portion of the turret 42 are aligned with theopposed followers 803 on the uppermost collar 520 on closure 90,inadvertent actuation of the pump 50 is prevented. This position ofturret 42 represents the preferred shipping or travelling condition forthe package 10.

PRIMING THE PUMP

Liquid product (not shown) is placed in the wide mouth plastic bottle 60and the closure 90, with the pump 50, turret 42, including spray orificeinserts 20 and 30, and push button 41 fully assembled thereon, isscrewed onto the bottle. The thumb wheel 43 is rotated clockwise to thenarrow spray position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and designated as the"STYLE" position in FIG. 3.

At this point air is in the pump chamber 180 and the pump 50 must beprimed, i.e. air must be removed from the pump chamber. As the pushbutton 41 is depressed, the lowermost end of the sealing conduit 190seals against the supply conduit 120 in the pump body 148. The frictioncreated by this seal moves the sealing conduit 190 and the poppet 150closer toward one another due to the lost motion arrangement describedearlier herein, so that the uppermost surface 218 of the sealing conduit190 seals against lowermost valve member surface 280 of the poppet 150.The pump chamber 180 is now sealed, and air in the pump chamber 180 iscompressed as the piston 182 moves downward. For the "STYLE" spraypattern described for the exemplary package embodiment 10, the piston182, stops after a downward travel amounting to only about 25 per centof the maximum stroke which would be available for the "FINISH" spraypattern due to the lower vertical position of the pair of opposedvertical stops 801 relative to the pair of opposed vertical stops 802.

As finger pressure on the push button 41 is released, the piston 182reverses direction. The lowermost end of the sealing conduit 190 remainssealed against the supply conduit 120 in the pump body 148. However, dueto internal friction between the pump components and the lost motionarrangement, the seal between the uppermost end 218 of the sealingconduit 190 and the lowermost valve member surface 280 of the poppet 150is broken. This allows the compressed air to escape from the pumpchamber 180 into the dip tube 130 and out into the liquid filled bottle60 where it accumulates in the headspace. As the piston 182 rises, avacuum is created in the pump chamber 180. Liquid product rises in thedip tube 130 and enters the pump chamber 180 through the space betweenthe uppermost surface 218 of the sealing conduit 190 and the lowermostvalve member surface 280 of the poppet 180. In this way air can beforced from the pump chamber 180 and the pump 50 can be primed even whenthe package is in its short stroke "STYLE" spray pattern position. Aswill be appreciated, it is this operational characteristic of thedisclosed pump 50 which permits priming of the pump even when the userdoes not fully depress push button 41 to its maximum extent, regardlessof which spray pattern the user has selected.

Once the pump chamber 180 is substantially filled with liquid product,downward motion of the piston 182 via depression of push button 41creates very high pressures in the pump chamber 180 because the liquidproduct, unlike air, is virtually incompressible. Increasing pressure inthe pump chamber 180 and thus the force on one side of the popper 150eventually overcomes the force of the spring 240 against the popper 150,and the popper 150 quickly moves downward away from the seal formedbetween the primary valve means 162 on popper 150 and the dischargepassageway 198 inside the pump stem 186. This allows high pressureliquid to rush through the discharge passageway 198 in pump stem 186 tothe interior passageways 640, 630, 650 and 660 which communicate insealed relationship with the small hole 670 comprising the spray orificein narrow spray orifice insert 20, from whence the liquid product isdischarged in an atomized "STYLE" spray pattern.

When the thumb wheel 43 is turned to the "FINISH" spray pattern, theaction of the pump 50 is substantially the same even though the maximumavailable pump stroke is greater due to rotational alignment of theopposed followers 803 on collar 520 of closure 90 with the pair ofopposed vertical stops 802 on turret 42.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

As pointed out earlier herein, the pump 50 disclosed in conjunction withpackage embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1-9 is particularly preferred because itis self priming in both spray positions. However the self primingfeature in both spray positions is not critical to the practice of thebroad aspects of the present invention. If desired, other pumps known inthe art may readily be adapted for use in packages of the presentinvention. Exemplary of such prior art pumps are those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,025,046 issued to Boris in May, 1977; U.S. Re. Pat. No.28,366 issued to Pechstein in Mar. 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,449 issuedto Nozawa et at. in July 1985; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,727 issued toSaito et al. in May, 1985, all of the aforementioned Patents beinghereby incorporated herein.

As has also been pointed out earlier herein, a push button including arotary turret of the type generally disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 as aspray orifice selector means represents a particularly preferredembodiment of a liquid dispensing package of the present invention.However, the present invention is by no means limited to such anembodiment. FIGS. 10-14 disclose an alternative push button systemincluding yet another means for selecting between at least twoalternative spray orifice inserts 20 and 30.

The push button embodiment 1041 shown in simplified form in FIGS. 10-14includes a pivotally mounted hemispherical orifice selector means 1043.The axis of rotation for the hemispherical orifice selector means 1043is perpendicular to Section Line B--B in FIG. 10. Attached to one end ofthe axis of rotation of the orifice selector means 1043 is an externallymounted movable arm 1801. In the position shown in FIG. 10, thelowermost end of arm 1801 will make contact with a fixed stop 1803 whichis mounted in a substantially stationary position on either the closureor the container with which the push button 1041 is associated. When thepush button 1041 is depressed by the user, the lowermost end of arm 1801contacts the fixed stop 1803, thereby preventing further depression ofthe push button.

However, when the orifice selector means is tilted to the position shownin FIG. 11 to expose wide spray orifice insert 30, the arm 1801 isautomatically repositioned so that it will not make any contact withfixed stop 1803 even when the push button 1041 is fully depressed. Thus,the maximum available stroke of the liquid pump can be achieved withoutany stroke limiting interference whenever the spray orifice selectormeans is in the position shown in FIG. 11.

As can be observed from the perspective views of FIGS. 10 and 11 and thecross-sectional views of FIGS. 12-14, the opposed recessed cutouts 1049in the wall 1051 of the push button 1041 provide a resting place for theuser's index finger when the push button 1041 is to be depressed. Therecessed cutouts 1049 minimize the tendency to reclose the orifice whichhas been selected by the user during the liquid spray discharge cycle,since the applied forces will tend to keep whichever orifice isinitially exposed in an exposed condition throughout the pump strokingcycle.

As can be seen in the cross-sections of FIGS. 12-14, liquid from thepump to which the push button is ultimately attached can be placed influid communication with either spray orifice insert 20 or spray orificeinsert 30 by passageway 1640 in push button 1041 and a combination ofpassageways 1650, 1660, 1670 and 1680 in orifice selector means 1043.Button 1690 is preferably secured in place after molding of sprayorifice selector means 1043, including passageways 1650, 1660, 1670 and1680, to facilitate the easiest possible molding operation and toprevent liquid leakage at the juncture of passageways 1650, 1660, 1670and 1680 in use.

As with the push button 41 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, push button 1041and spray orifice selector means 1043 can also be placed in a positionwhich ensures sealing of the spray orifice inserts 20 and 30 as well asthe other internal liquid passageways either prior to placing thepackage in service or when the user is travelling. This condition isillustrated in FIG. 12.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the hemisphericallyshaped orifice selector means 1043, the complementary recess formed inthe uppermost end of push button 1041, and the sharp edges on theopposed recessed cutouts also provide orifice wiping benefits to removeresidual liquid product when the orifice selector means 1043 is rotatedfrom the position shown in FIG. 13 to the position shown in FIG. 14, andvice versa.

Still other combinations of push buttons and spray orifice selectormeans within the scope of the present invention can readily beenvisioned. For example, in the simplified exploded schematicillustration of FIG. 15, a pair of spray orifice inserts 20,30 arelocated approximately 90° apart from one another about the periphery ofan interior vertically movable, but non-rotatable member 2042 which isin fluid communication with the stem of the liquid pump (not shown). Thespray orifice inserts 20,30 are also positioned at different verticallocations on the interior member 2042.

A concentric outermost push button member 2041 having a single sprayorifice opening 2047 could be mounted over said non-rotatable interiormember 2042 employing means for aligning the opening in the push buttonwith either of the orifices on the interior member. For example, thepush button 2041 could employ means, such as an integrally moldedinternal follower 2062 which snaps into a recessed groove 2065 oninterior member 2042. If the groove 2065 comprises a pair of opposedhorizontal segments 2066 and 2067 connected to one another by ahelically shaped segment 2068, rotation of the push button 2041approximately 90° will cause the spray opening 2047 to realign from oneorifice insert to the other.

In such an instance, the stroke of the pump could be limited by causinginterference to occur between the lowermost end 2048 of the push buttonand a stationary portion of the package, such as the uppermost surfaceof closure 2090, when the opening 2047 in the push button 2041 isaligned with the lowermost orifice insert 20. A lesser degree ofinterference or no interference at all could exist when the opening 2047in the push button 2041 is aligned with the uppermost orifice insert 30.

Still another push button and spray orifice selector means of thepresent invention could employ two or more vertically aligned orificeson an interior member such as that generally shown in FIG. 15. Avertical recessed groove and follower generally similar to those shownin FIG. 15 could be employed opposite the spray opening in the pushbutton to ensure rotational alignment of the spray opening in the pushbutton with all of the vertically aligned orifice inserts. If desired, agripping means, such as a spring loaded clip, could be secured to thepush button for securing it at predetermined vertical locations whichwould permit alignment of the spray opening in the push button withwhatever orifice insert is selected by the user. As with the embodimentof FIG. 15, interference between the push button skirt and the uppermostsurface of the closure would effectively limit the stroke of the pump.

While particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described in the context of a hair spray product, the presentinvention is by no means limited to such product applications. Otherexemplary product applications where spray pumps having multipleorifices exhibiting different spray patterns or characteristics andpredetermined optimized product dosages automatically associated witheach orifice include sunscreens, perfumes, fragrances, medicaments,spray starches, and the like.

Furthermore, while particular package embodiments of the presentinvention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious tothose skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can bemade without departing form the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. It is intended to cover in the appended claims, all suchmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spray orifice selector system for a spraypackage having at least two spray orifices, each of said orifices beingmanually selected by the user of said package, said selector systemcomprising:a) a spray orifice selector movably secured to a containerfor housing a liquid, said selector providing fluid communicationbetween said container and a first spray orifice when said selector ismoved to align said first spray orifice with said container, and betweensaid container and a second spray orifice when said spray orificeselector is moved to align said second spray orifice with saidcontainer, said spray orifice selector exposing for spraying only one ofsaid first and second spray orifices at a time; and b) means for movingsaid selector such that said user may grip said container in a firsthand and operate said spray orifice selector with a second hand withouthaving to regrip said container with said first hand in order to spraysaid liquid in a fixed direction from said first and said second sprayorifices.
 2. A spray orifice selector system for a spray package havingat least two spray orifices, each of said orifices being manuallyselected by the user of said package, said selector system comprising:a)a spray orifice selector turret rotatably secured to a container forhousing a liquid, said selector turret providing fluid communicationbetween said container and a first spray orifice when said selectorturret is rotated to align said first spray orifice with said container,and between said container and a second spray orifice when said sprayorifice selector turret is rotated to align said second spray orificewith said container, said spray orifice selector turret exposing forspraying only one said first and second spray orifices at a time; b) athumb wheel for moving said selector between said first spray orificeand said second spray orifice such that said user may grip saidcontainer in a first hand and operate said spray orifice selector with asecond hand without having to regrip said container with said first handin order to spray said liquid in a fixed direction from said first andsaid second spray orifices; c) a spray actuator button connected to saidcontainer internally concentric to said thumb wheel for moving saidselector, said button being rotationally fixed relative to saidcontainer; and d) a position located between said first and said secondspray orifices which closes said first and said second spray orifices tofluid communication with said container in order to prevent spraying,said spray orifice selector being detented when said first spray orificeis aligned with said container for spraying, when said second sprayorifice is aligned with said container for spraying, and when saidposition between said first and said second spray orifices is alignedwith said container to prevent spraying.
 3. A spray orifice selectorsystem for a spray package having at least two spray orifices, each ofwhich can be manually selected by the user of the package, said selectorsystem comprising:a) a push button having a stem in fluid communicationwith a container for housing a liquid, said stem having a radialpassageway, said push button being connected to said container such thatsaid radial passageway is rotationally fixed relative to said container;b) a turret having an externally concentric thumbwheel, said turret andsaid thumbwheel being rotatably secured to said stem, said turret havinga first spray orifice and a second spray orifice, said turret beingslidably engaged with said stem so that when said thumbwheel is rotatedto a first position, said first spray orifice is aligned with saidradial passageway of said stem for discharging said liquid, and whensaid thumbwheel is rotated to a second position, said second sprayorifice is aligned with said radial passageway of said stem fordischarging said liquid, said push button when depressed actuates aspray pump located between said stem and said container to providepressure to discharge said liquid from said container through said stemand radial passageway, said pump sprayer being self priming regardlessof which of said at least two spray orifices is positioned for spraying;and c) a position located between said first and said second sprayorifices which closes said first and said second spray orifices to fluidcommunication with said container in order to prevent spraying, saidspray orifice selector being detented when said first spray orifice isaligned with said container for spraying, when said second spray orificeis aligned with said container for spraying, and when said positionbetween said first and said second spray orifices is aligned with saidcontainer to prevent spraying.